Key Bindings for Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code lets you perform most tasks directly from the keyboard. This page lists out the default bindings and describes how you can update them.

Note: If you visit this page on a Mac, you will see the key bindings for the Mac. If you visit using Windows or Linux, you will see the keys for that OS. If you need the key binding for another OS, hover your mouse over the key you are interested in.

Note: The following keys are rendered assuming a standard US keyboard layout. If you use a different keyboard layout, please read below.

Basic Editing

Key Command Command id
kb(editor.action.clipboardCutAction) Cut line (empty selection) editor.action.clipboardCutAction
kb(editor.action.clipboardCopyAction) Copy line (empty selection) editor.action.clipboardCopyAction
kb(editor.action.deleteLines) Delete Line editor.action.deleteLines
kb(editor.action.insertLineAfter) Insert Line Below editor.action.insertLineAfter
kb(editor.action.insertLineBefore) Insert Line Above editor.action.insertLineBefore
kb(editor.action.moveLinesDownAction) Move Line Down editor.action.moveLinesDownAction
kb(editor.action.moveLinesUpAction) Move Line Up editor.action.moveLinesUpAction
kb(editor.action.copyLinesDownAction) Copy Line Down editor.action.copyLinesDownAction
kb(editor.action.copyLinesUpAction) Copy Line Up editor.action.copyLinesUpAction
kb(editor.action.addSelectionToNextFindMatch) Add Selection To Next Find Match editor.action.addSelectionToNextFindMatch
kb(editor.action.moveSelectionToNextFindMatch) Move Last Selection To Next Find Match editor.action.moveSelectionToNextFindMatch
kb(cursorUndo) Undo last cursor operation cursorUndo
kb(editor.action.insertCursorAtEndOfEachLineSelected) Insert cursor at end of each line selected editor.action.insertCursorAtEndOfEachLineSelected
kb(editor.action.selectHighlights) Select all occurrences of current selection editor.action.selectHighlights
kb(editor.action.changeAll) Select all occurrences of current word editor.action.changeAll
kb(expandLineSelection) Select current line expandLineSelection
kb(editor.action.insertCursorBelow) Insert Cursor Below editor.action.insertCursorBelow
kb(editor.action.insertCursorAbove) Insert Cursor Above editor.action.insertCursorAbove
kb(editor.action.jumpToBracket) Jump to matching bracket editor.action.jumpToBracket
kb(editor.action.indentLines) Indent Line editor.action.indentLines
kb(editor.action.outdentLines) Outdent Line editor.action.outdentLines
kb(cursorHome) Go to Beginning of Line cursorHome
kb(cursorEnd) Go to End of Line cursorEnd
kb(cursorBottom) Go to End of File cursorBottom
kb(cursorTop) Go to Beginning of File cursorTop
kb(scrollLineDown) Scroll Line Down scrollLineDown
kb(scrollLineUp) Scroll Line Up scrollLineUp
kb(scrollPageDown) Scroll Page Down scrollPageDown
kb(scrollPageUp) Scroll Page Up scrollPageUp
kb(editor.fold) Fold (collapse) region editor.fold
kb(editor.unfold) Unfold (uncollapse) region editor.unfold
kb(editor.foldAll) Fold (collapse) all regions editor.foldAll
kb(editor.unfoldAll) Unfold (uncollapse) all regions editor.unfoldAll
kb(editor.action.addCommentLine) Add Line Comment editor.action.addCommentLine
kb(editor.action.removeCommentLine) Remove Line Comment editor.action.removeCommentLine
kb(editor.action.commentLine) Toggle Line Comment editor.action.commentLine
kb(editor.action.blockComment) Toggle Block Comment editor.action.blockComment
kb(actions.find) Find actions.find
kb(editor.action.startFindReplaceAction) Replace editor.action.startFindReplaceAction
kb(editor.action.nextMatchFindAction) Find Next editor.action.nextMatchFindAction
kb(editor.action.previousMatchFindAction) Find Previous editor.action.previousMatchFindAction
kb(toggleFindCaseSensitive) Toggle Find Case Sensitive toggleFindCaseSensitive
kb(toggleFindRegex) Toggle Find Regex toggleFindRegex
kb(toggleFindWholeWord) Toggle Find Whole Word toggleFindWholeWord
kb(editor.action.toggleTabFocusMode) Toggle Use of Tab Key for Setting Focus editor.action.toggleTabFocusMode
kb(toggleRenderWhitespace) Toggle Render Whitespace toggleRenderWhitespace

Rich Languages Editing

Key Command Command id
kb(editor.action.triggerSuggest) Trigger Suggest editor.action.triggerSuggest
kb(editor.action.triggerParameterHints) Trigger Parameter Hints editor.action.triggerParameterHints
kb(editor.action.format) Format Code editor.action.format
kb(editor.action.goToDeclaration) Go to Definition editor.action.goToDeclaration
kb(editor.action.previewDeclaration) Peek Definition editor.action.previewDeclaration
kb(editor.action.openDeclarationToTheSide) Open Definition to the Side editor.action.openDeclarationToTheSide
kb(editor.action.quickFix) Quick Fix editor.action.quickFix
kb(editor.action.referenceSearch.trigger) Show References editor.action.referenceSearch.trigger
kb(editor.action.rename) Rename Symbol editor.action.rename
kb(editor.action.inPlaceReplace.down) Replace with Next Value editor.action.inPlaceReplace.down
kb(editor.action.inPlaceReplace.up) Replace with Previous Value editor.action.inPlaceReplace.up
kb(editor.action.smartSelect.grow) Expand AST Select editor.action.smartSelect.grow
kb(editor.action.smartSelect.shrink) Shrink AST Select editor.action.smartSelect.shrink
kb(editor.action.trimTrailingWhitespace) Trim Trailing Whitespace editor.action.trimTrailingWhitespace
kb(workbench.action.editor.changeLanguageMode) Change Language Mode workbench.action.editor.changeLanguageMode
Key Command Command id
kb(workbench.action.showAllSymbols) Show All Symbols workbench.action.showAllSymbols
kb(workbench.action.gotoLine) Go to Line... workbench.action.gotoLine
kb(workbench.action.quickOpen) Go to File..., Quick Open workbench.action.quickOpen
kb(workbench.action.gotoSymbol) Go to Symbol... workbench.action.gotoSymbol
kb(workbench.action.showErrorsWarnings) Show Errors and Warnings workbench.action.showErrorsWarnings
kb(editor.action.marker.next) Go to Next Error or Warning editor.action.marker.next
kb(editor.action.marker.prev) Go to Previous Error or Warning editor.action.marker.prev
kb(workbench.action.showCommands) Show All Commands workbench.action.showCommands
kb(workbench.action.openPreviousEditor) Navigate History workbench.action.openPreviousEditor
kb(workbench.action.navigateBack) Go Back workbench.action.navigateBack
kb(workbench.action.navigateForward) Go Forward workbench.action.navigateForward

Editor/Window Management

Key Command Command id
kb(workbench.action.newWindow) New Window workbench.action.newWindow
kb(workbench.action.closeWindow) Close Window workbench.action.closeWindow
kb(workbench.action.closeActiveEditor) Close Editor workbench.action.closeActiveEditor
kb(workbench.action.closeFolder) Close Folder workbench.action.closeFolder
kb(workbench.action.cycleEditor) Cycle Between Opened Editors workbench.action.cycleEditor
kb(workbench.action.splitEditor) Split Editor workbench.action.splitEditor
kb(workbench.action.focusFirstEditor) Focus into Left Hand Editor workbench.action.focusFirstEditor
kb(workbench.action.focusSecondEditor) Focus into Side Editor workbench.action.focusSecondEditor
kb(workbench.action.focusThirdEditor) Focus into Right Hand Editor workbench.action.focusThirdEditor
kb(workbench.action.focusLeftEditor) Focus into Next Editor on the Left workbench.action.focusLeftEditor
kb(workbench.action.focusRightEditor) Focus into Next Editor on the Right workbench.action.focusRightEditor
kb(workbench.action.moveActiveEditorLeft) Move Active Editor Left workbench.action.moveActiveEditorLeft
kb(workbench.action.moveActiveEditorRight) Move Active Editor Right workbench.action.moveActiveEditorRight

File Management

Key Command Command id
kb(workbench.action.files.newUntitledFile) New File workbench.action.files.newUntitledFile
kb(workbench.action.files.openFile) Open File... workbench.action.files.openFile
kb(workbench.action.files.save) Save workbench.action.files.save
kb(workbench.action.files.saveAll) Save All workbench.action.files.saveAll
kb(workbench.action.files.saveAs) Save As... workbench.action.files.saveAs
kb(workbench.files.action.closeFile) Close File workbench.files.action.closeFile
kb(workbench.files.action.closeAllFiles) Close All Files workbench.files.action.closeAllFiles
kb(workbench.files.action.closeOtherFiles) Close Other Files workbench.files.action.closeOtherFiles
kb(workbench.files.action.addToWorkingFiles) Add to Working Files workbench.files.action.addToWorkingFiles
kb(workbench.files.action.openNextWorkingFile) Open Next Working File workbench.files.action.openNextWorkingFile
kb(workbench.files.action.openPreviousWorkingFile) Open Previous Working File workbench.files.action.openPreviousWorkingFile
kb(workbench.action.files.copyPathOfActiveFile) Copy Path of Active File workbench.action.files.copyPathOfActiveFile
kb(workbench.action.files.revealActiveFileInWindows) Reveal Active File in Windows workbench.action.files.revealActiveFileInWindows
kb(workbench.action.files.showOpenedFileInNewWindow) Show Opened File in New Window workbench.action.files.showOpenedFileInNewWindow
kb(workbench.files.action.compareFileWith) Compare Opened File With workbench.files.action.compareFileWith

Display

Key Command Command id
kb(workbench.action.toggleFullScreen) Toggle Full Screen workbench.action.toggleFullScreen
kb(workbench.action.zoomIn) Zoom in workbench.action.zoomIn
kb(workbench.action.zoomOut) Zoom out workbench.action.zoomOut
kb(workbench.action.toggleSidebarVisibility) Toggle Sidebar Visibility workbench.action.toggleSidebarVisibility
kb(workbench.view.debug) Show Debug workbench.view.debug
kb(workbench.view.explorer) Show Explorer workbench.view.explorer
kb(workbench.view.git) Show Git workbench.view.git
kb(workbench.view.search) Show Search workbench.view.search
kb(workbench.action.search.toggleQueryDetails) Toggle Search Details workbench.action.search.toggleQueryDetails
kb(workbench.action.terminal.openNativeConsole) Open New Command Prompt workbench.action.terminal.openNativeConsole
kb(workbench.action.output.toggleOutput) Show Output workbench.action.output.toggleOutput
kb(workbench.action.markdown.togglePreview) Toggle Markdown Preview workbench.action.markdown.togglePreview
kb(workbench.action.markdown.openPreviewSideBySide) Open Preview to the Side workbench.action.markdown.openPreviewSideBySide

Preferences

Key Command Command id
kb(workbench.action.openGlobalSettings) Open User Settings workbench.action.openGlobalSettings
kb(workbench.action.openWorkspaceSettings) Open Workspace Settings workbench.action.openWorkspaceSettings
kb(workbench.action.openGlobalKeybindings) Open Keyboard Shortcuts workbench.action.openGlobalKeybindings
kb(workbench.action.openSnippets) Open User Snippets workbench.action.openSnippets
kb(workbench.action.selectTheme) Select Color Theme workbench.action.selectTheme
kb(workbench.action.configureLocale) Configure Display Language workbench.action.configureLocale

Debug

Key Command Command id
kb(editor.debug.action.toggleBreakpoint) Toggle Breakpoint editor.debug.action.toggleBreakpoint
kb(workbench.action.debug.continue) Continue workbench.action.debug.continue
kb(workbench.action.debug.start) Pause workbench.action.debug.start
kb(workbench.action.debug.stepInto) Step Into workbench.action.debug.stepInto
kb(workbench.action.debug.stepOut) Step Out workbench.action.debug.stepOut
kb(workbench.action.debug.stepOver) Step Over workbench.action.debug.stepOver
kb(workbench.action.debug.stop) Stop workbench.action.debug.stop
kb(editor.action.showHover) Show Hover editor.action.showHover

Tasks

Key Command Command id
kb(workbench.action.tasks.build) Run Build Task workbench.action.tasks.build
kb(workbench.action.tasks.test) Run Test Task workbench.action.tasks.test

Extensions

Key Command Command id
kb(workbench.extensions.action.installExtension) Install Extension workbench.extensions.action.installExtension
kb(workbench.extensions.action.listExtensions) Show Installed Extensions workbench.extensions.action.listExtensions
kb(workbench.extensions.action.listOutdatedExtensions) Show Outdated Extensions workbench.extensions.action.listOutdatedExtensions
kb(workbench.extensions.action.listSuggestedExtensions) Show Extension Recommendations workbench.extensions.action.listSuggestedExtensions

Customizing Shortcuts

All keyboard shortcuts in VS Code can be customized via the User/keybindings.json file.

  • To configure keyboard shortcuts the way you want, go to the menu under File > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts.
  • This will open the Default Keyboard Shortcuts on the left and your User/keybindings.json file where you can overwrite the default bindings on the right.

Keyboard Rules

The keyboard shortcuts dispatching is done by analyzing a list of rules that are expressed in JSON. Here are some examples:

// Keybindings that are active when the focus is in the editor
{ "key": "home",       "when": "editorTextFocus", "command": "cursorHome" },
{ "key": "shift+home", "when": "editorTextFocus", "command": "cursorHomeSelect" },

// Keybindings that are complementary
{ "key": "f5",         "when": "inDebugMode",     "command": "workbench.action.debug.continue" },
{ "key": "f5",         "when": "!inDebugMode",    "command": "workbench.action.debug.start" }

// Global keybindings
{ "key": "ctrl+f",                                "command": "actions.find" },
{ "key": "alt+left",                              "command": "workbench.action.navigateBack" },
{ "key": "alt+right",                             "command": "workbench.action.navigateForward" },

// Global keybindings using chords
{ "key": "ctrl+k enter",                          "command": "workbench.files.action.addToWorkingFiles" },
{ "key": "ctrl+k ctrl+w",                         "command": "workbench.files.action.closeAllFiles" },

Each rule consists of:

  • a required key that describes the pressed keys.
  • an optional when containing a boolean expression that will be evaluated depending on the current context.
  • an optional command containing the identifier of the command to execute.

When a key is pressed:

  • the rules are evaluated from bottom to top.
  • the first rule that matches, both the key and in terms of when, is accepted.
  • no more rules are processed.
  • if a rule is found and has a command set, the command is executed.

The additional User/keybindings.json rules are appended at runtime to the bottom of the default rules, thus allowing them to overwrite the default rules. The User/keybindings.json file is watched by VS Code so editing it while VS Code is running will update the rules at runtime.

Accepted keys

The key is made up of modifiers and the key itself.

The following modifiers are accepted:

OS Modifiers
OS X kbstyle(ctrl+), kbstyle(shift+), kbstyle(alt+), kbstyle(cmd+)
Windows kbstyle(ctrl+), kbstyle(shift+), kbstyle(alt+), kbstyle(win+)
Linux kbstyle(ctrl+), kbstyle(shift+), kbstyle(alt+), kbstyle(meta+)

The following keys are accepted:

  • kbstyle(f1-f19), kbstyle(a-z), kbstyle(0-9)
  • kbstyle(`), kbstyle(-), kbstyle(=), kbstyle([), kbstyle(]), kbstyle(\), kbstyle(;), kbstyle('), kbstyle(,), kbstyle(.), kbstyle(/)
  • kbstyle(left), kbstyle(up), kbstyle(right), kbstyle(down), kbstyle(pageup), kbstyle(pagedown), kbstyle(end), kbstyle(home)
  • kbstyle(tab), kbstyle(enter), kbstyle(escape), kbstyle(space), kbstyle(backspace), kbstyle(delete)
  • kbstyle(pausebreak), kbstyle(capslock), kbstyle(insert)
  • kbstyle(numpad0-numpad9), kbstyle(numpad_multiply), kbstyle(numpad_add), kbstyle(numpad_separator)
  • kbstyle(numpad_subtract), kbstyle(numpad_decimal), kbstyle(numpad_divide)

Chords are described by separating the two keypresses with a space. E.g.: kbstyle(ctrl+k ctrl+c).

Keyboard layouts

Note: This section relates only to key bindings, not to typing in the editor.

The keys above are string representations for virtual keys and do not necessarily relate to the produced character when they are pressed. More precisely:

  • Reference: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dd375731(v=vs.85)
  • kbstyle(tab) for VK_TAB (0x09)
  • kbstyle(;) for VK_OEM_1 (0xBA)
  • kbstyle(=) for VK_OEM_PLUS (0xBB)
  • kbstyle(,) for VK_OEM_COMMA (0xBC)
  • kbstyle(-) for VK_OEM_MINUS (0xBD)
  • kbstyle(.) for VK_OEM_PERIOD (0xBE)
  • kbstyle(/) for VK_OEM_2 (0xBF)
  • kbstyle(`) for VK_OEM_3 (0xC0)
  • kbstyle([) for VK_OEM_4 (0xDB)
  • kbstyle(\) for VK_OEM_5 (0xDC)
  • kbstyle(]) for VK_OEM_6 (0xDD)
  • kbstyle(') for VK_OEM_7 (0xDE)
  • etc.

Different keyboard layouts usually reposition the above virtual keys or change the characters produced when they are pressed. When using a different keyboard layout than the standard US, Visual Studio Code does the following:

All the key bindings are rendered in the UI using the current system's keyboard layout. For example, Split Editor when using a French (France) keyboard layout is now rendered as kbstyle(Ctrl+*):

render key binding

When editing keybindings.json, VS Code highlights misleading key bindings - those that are represented in the file with the character produced under the standard US keyboard layout, but which need pressing keys with different labels under the current system's keyboard layout. For example, here is how the Default keybindings rules look like when using a French (France) keyboard layout:

keybindings.json guidance

There is also a widget that helps input the key binding rule when editing keybindings.json. To launch the Define Keybinding widget, press kb(editor.action.defineKeybinding). The widget listens for key presses and renders the serialized JSON representation in the text box and below it, the keys that VS Code has detected under your current keyboard layout. Once you've typed the key combination you want, you can press kbstyle(Enter) and a rule snippet will be inserted.

key binding widget

Note: Visual Studio Code detects your current keyboard layout on start-up and then caches this information. For a good experience, we recommend restarting VS Code if you change your keyboard layout.

Next Steps

Now that you know about our Key binding support, what's next...

  • Customization - Configure Code the way you want - Themes, Settings and more
  • Language Support - Our Good, Better, Best language grid to see what you can expect
  • Debugging - This is where VS Code really shines
  • Node.js - End to end Node.js scenario with a sample app

Common Questions

Q: How to find out what command is bound to a specific key?

A: In the Default Keyboard Shortcuts, open Quick Outline by pressing kb(workbench.action.gotoSymbol)

Key bindings quick outline

Q: How to add a key binding to an action? E.g. Add Ctrl+D to Delete Lines

A: Find a rule that triggers the action in the Default Keyboard Shortcuts and write a modified version of it in your User/keybindings.json file:

// Original, in Default Keyboard Shortcuts
{ "key": "ctrl+shift+k",          "command": "editor.action.deleteLines",
                                     "when": "editorTextFocus" },
// Modified, in User/keybindings.json, Ctrl+D now will also trigger this action
{ "key": "ctrl+d",                "command": "editor.action.deleteLines",
                                     "when": "editorTextFocus" },

Q: How to remove a key binding from an action? E.g. Remove Ctrl+Shift+K from Delete Lines

A: Find a rule that triggers the action in the Default Keyboard Shortcuts and write a modified version of it in your User/keybindings.json file:

// Original, in Default Keyboard Shortcuts
{ "key": "ctrl+shift+k",          "command": "editor.action.deleteLines",
                                     "when": "editorTextFocus" },
// Modified, in User/keybindings.json, Ctrl+Shift+K won't do anything anymore since command is empty
{ "key": "ctrl+shift+k",             "when": "editorTextFocus" },

Q: How can I add a key binding for only certain file types?

A: Use the editorLangId context key in your when clause:

{ "key": "shift+alt+a",           "command": "editor.action.blockComment",
                                     "when": "editorTextFocus && editorLangId == 'csharp'" },

Q: I have modified my key bindings in User/keybindings.json, why don't they work?

A: The most common problem is a syntax error in the file. Otherwise, try removing the when clause or picking a different key. Unfortunately, at this point, it is a trial and error process.